Mark Jenson 20 Years On – Let’s Get Behind The Players!

The last time Newcastle United were relegated from the English first division coincided with the creation of the city’s most popular fanzine The Mag.

After the controversial sale of Paul Gascoigne to Spurs, Mark Jensen, a lifetime Newcastle fan, decided to give the Newcastle fans a voice long before the era of blogs and websites like this one, and he created The Mag.

And now, 20 years later Newcastle have again crashed out of the top division in England, Jensen is ready to see Newcastle’s first home game in the second division since 1993, with Reading due at St. James’ Park.

And it could be that before that first home game owner Mike Ashley could have announced he is staying on Tyneside, and he could even be at the game taking his seat in the Milburn Stand.

And Jensen does see some similarities as Newcastle try to make it a soft landing in the second tier, as they did 20 years ago.

Mark said today:

“I suppose there are similarities to then and now.”

“The Mag was born in 1988, just after we’d sold Gazza and the first game was when he actually came back with Spurs and he was pelted with Mars Bars!”

“That season we got relegated, so I suppose you can blame us for that! But looking back, there was a similar battle going on then when John Hall and his Magpies group were trying to wrestle power from Gordon McKeag and his board.”

“People could see the potential and were encouraged by Hall’s vision. There was a lot of upheaval at that time. Now with the club still not being sold, I think people can see a different vision.”

“This time, while many want the club to have a new owner, there is a call for a manager with time running out in the transfer market.” “This time it is a manager in Alan Shearer and there is a choice that the current owners can still make.

“I think many see Alan Shearer as the man to steady the ship. It would give the fans a credible manager even if the club isn’t sold.” “And it would also put the focus back on the pitch.”

“The very fact that thousands of fans have renewed their season tickets shows how people still feel about the team.” “And as unhappy as people feel at the moment, it’s about getting behind the 11 players who are pulling on the shirt against Reading.”

“People also have their own pressures in life and going to the match is a release for them.” “So Saturday they will probably be looking to do the same again.” The first issue of the Mag this season is available from the usual vendors on Saturday.”

Mark is so right with what he says at the end of his comments.

That’s a good statement from Mark, and it is measured and mature, in that we have little choice as fans but to get behind the lads.

After all, their performance on Saturday was better than expected, and with good home support, surely the lads can get the win on Saturday against Reading. Reading drew 0-0 at home to Nottingham Forest in their first game last Saturday.

The Newcastle fans (as well as the Newcastle players that are still left) have been put through hell and high water this summer by the controversial Newcastle owner.

And even so, thousands of season tickets have already been sold, and it looks like away fixtures will have their allocations completely sold out, as they were on Saturday at the Hawthorns.

One of the big advantages Newcastle have going for them is their fantastic fan support, whihc is legendary around the world, and we expect the fans to be there in their thousands on Saturday – and all they will want to see is a good display and a win from the lads.

If the players can produce that on Saturday, the fans will be very satisfied indeed with 4 points from our first 2 games.

Then what we’ll need is another win in our next game at home, on the following Wednesday (KO 7:45 pm), against Sheffield Wednesday. 😀

theres one thing geordies will do and thats back the players. Its only when those players fail to respond to that backing that the toon army turn. After the WBA performance its clear to see who the fighters are (Smith, Taylor, Duff, Carroll, Krul, Nolan to an extent) and those who want out (Guttierez, Collocini, Enrique, R.Taylor).

I, for one, will be backing the team on Saturday and hope that the rest of you will. The Anti-Ashley protests should be saved for befor the game, half time and After the game. EVERY GAME until he’s gone!

There is reference to the lack of respect shown to the players living in an information vacuum they’ve had to endure, uncertainty about team mangement, different styles they’ve lived under, demotivation.

There are parallels twit players and fans and the statement that “People also have their own pressures in life and going to the match is a release for them” may not recognise that to many, NUFC is a major part of their lives and their release may be ventimg their spleens at Ashley et al.

However, we all want to see grief and frustrations turned to happiness or near happiness with a great home win on Saturday.

The players need to feed of the atmosphere in the ground, need to feel that the supporters are behind them and behind Newcastle United, whoever’s in charge!

So let’s hope that frustrations are confined to this and other sites and that the air in SJP is good and supportive.

The lads win and the fans go home a little happier, possibly seeing the tunnel at the end of which is light.

Off topic but apparently Chris Mort was in the away end at the WBA game on saturday cheering us on. One of the best things to happen to us for a while so he was, even though it was short lived. Come back, please! lol

Off topic but apparently Chris Mort was in the away end at the WBA game on saturday cheering us on. One of the best things to happen to us for a while so he was, even though it was short lived. Come back, please! lol —

Yeah Chris Mort was a good guy, always the good guys that go first eh?

Still think this whole proposed sale by Ashley was never serious in the first place, if he took advice and pitched it at the right price we would have been sold. His price from day one has been unrealistic and he wont budge which to me means his heart isnt in it. The NDA has been very handy for him to hide behind and also the fact he is dragging it towards the end of the transfer window is also very convenient for him as he can blame the non sale on the non purchase of players. A very shrewd and ruthless business man, thats how he got it and how he intends to keep it. Next will be the withdrawal for sale, apologies and patronizing shite.

Doocey-its a shame like. You can bet he wouldnt be here now anyway, even if he hadnt left when he did., i doubt he’d have sat through this circus tight lipped. He liked to keep in touch with the fans, act rationally and let us know what was going on when he saw fit. Obviously fat Cashley disagreed with said tactics and decided a casino manager would be far more fitting for the position of chairman.

Always gotta keep going to the games. I would if I could. A team just ain’t a team anymore if the fans stop supporting it. I know I’ve used this example before, but the Chicago Cubs have an amazingly huge fan base. All over the world you’ll find Cubbies fans. Truthfully, they suck. Even when they have the best team in the league, they choke every single time they get to the postseason. They’re streak without a trophy of any kind is the worst in sporting history. 101 years without a title. Yet the fans support them religiously. I think there’s a lesson in that.

True, it’s a fine point of logic, that. i’d be willin’ to wager that he’d be a good manager, but I wouldn’t go as far as to call him “credible” just yet. He hasn’t established anything at all yet, huh?

O’Hurley & Stu, Yea, i guess it’s a point of order, but y’knowarra mean, huh?.. …He’s defo a major ‘footballin’ man’, Geordie Legend & he could well ‘become’ a top manager…I’d love to think that he would/can…I’m defo not rulin’ out that possibility!.. …Just don’t think we should go jumpin’ the gun, thinkin’ he’s there, yet!..

Rod, yeah, I’ve heard the Russian’s really got that game down to a science. I’m glad to know that MA is playing more of it. Maybe there IS a light at the end of the tunnel (and not just the freight train)

Nobby, to be honest at the moment I’ll take what is handed to me. If MA is staying, then so be it – just hire a bl00dy manager and get on with it. O’Leary, fair enough, I just wish he’d pull his effin finger out and make some sort of decision. My patience is well and truly tried now. I 100 percent agree with you ‘getting behind’ the team and whatever manager we end up with. I’m such a radgie at the moment all of my mates are treading on eggshells with me.

…just want to get on with normality. All of this uncertainty is bang out of order. Can he not just tell us what’s happening instead of us all having to speculate. Is there or isn’t there any interest? I can’t even be arsed to watch England tonight and the Premiership opener on Saturday is currently as appealing as a hot sh1t sandwich.

Certainly a slow news day today. I reckon all will be known by this time next week. Either we’ve been sold or Ashley is staying on. I’m at the stage now that i just need to know either way so we can get on with the game in hand.

Rod- just take a pop, whats the worst that could happen! i took a clip from an amature boxing champion and didnt hit the deck, was canny proud of myself like, haha. Although the eels and glass combo could be slightly more productive, if not somewhat sadistic.

Looks like Krul will be getting a start at the weekend like. Am i the only one who wants to see Ranger get 20-30 minutes this weekend? Shola seemed to slow down in the final 20-30 last week, bring Ranger on and see what he can do if things are going our way?..

David Craig ‘there’s certainly alot of speculation in the papers again today, especially about the manager department, i can tell you Newcastle are still trying their best to sell the club, however the club have said nothing again today and i think it is unlucky that a manager will be appointed with discussions ongoing about the sale of the club’

this was the general jist of what he had to say….basically nothing new!!!

Goalscorers

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After having various cat scans and a full bone scan recently, I met with the medical oncologist yesterday for a review of my condition.

The cancer in the bones has stabilized and has not spread further, and my PSA count has decreased significantly to being less than 0.1.

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